“Tony Tata has been a valuable partner in our efforts to reform and
modernize North Carolina’s transportation system,” Governor McCrory
said in a statement. “His dedication to the people of North Carolina is
in keeping with his long career of service to his community, state and
country.”

McCrory appointed Tata as transportation secretary in 2013. Prior to
coming to the DOT, Tata served as superintendent of the Wake County
Schools and chief operating officer of the Washington, D.C., public
schools. He is a retired U.S. Army brigadier general who has
appeared from time to time on cable news networks to comment on
military policy issues and promote his books.

He has published four military thrillers, including one earlier this
year, "Foreign and Domestic," which is set partially on the Outer
Banks.

He is well acquainted with Hatteras Island as an avid surfer who grew up in Virginia Beach and visited here often.

Tata has also visited Dare County often as NCDOT Secretary -- most
recently on June 15 to announce a settlement to the long legal battle
over building a replacement to the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge over Oregon
Inlet.

The News & Observer of Raleigh called Tata's resignation "sudden"
in an article today, though he told the newspaper in an interview that
he had been considering the move for some time.